The next morning the seven-thirty horn sounded throughout the dormitory building. It was the students' alarm clock, a really unpleasant sound for everyone, but to their misfortune it was the first time they heard it, but it wasn't going to be the last.
They had breakfast, showered, dressed, everyone was getting ready for the first day of school. There was a certain amount of excitement among the students, and above all, eagerness. Eager to start the two years they would spend at the IOH Academy, where they would grow, meet people and mature. There were some who were even more nervous than they should have been. But on the first day of class, you always have to make a good impression.
The first part was a meeting of presentation, explanation and division of classes that took place in a kind of auditorium. When all the students finally arrived and took their seats, the lights went out, the stage was illuminated and 7 figures appeared. Among them a tall, thin adult stepped forward and spoke for the students in the combat department.
—Good morning students, I officially welcome you to the IOH Academy and to what will be your home for the next two years. My name is Luca Sturd, I am the headmaster of the Academy and I hope you are all as eager to get started as I am.
From the stands there was a lot of applause. When they ceased, the Academy director continued his speech.
—I know you are excited, but we have a lot to do today, first of all we have to introduce your teachers and the head of the combat department, who you already know, Krist Gull.
With a movement the director of the academy gave the position to the director of the department.
—Good morning students, as Luca said, my name is Krist and I am the director of the combat department. The 5 people who are with us are your teachers and who will accompany you for the next 2 years. From left to right, the hand-to-hand combat teacher, Lewa. Professor Hanks for practical combat classes. The tactics teacher, Kei. The abilities teacher, Brand. And the bloodline teacher, Mary.
Everyone applauded the 5 teachers who gave a slight bow and salute. Then Krist continued speaking.
—Now it is my turn to explain the results of yesterday's tests. Two tests were done, one measuring your control over your ability and the other measuring how strong your bloodline is by comparing your physical results with the time of a normal human. From there we have ranked the students from 1 to 300. The top 10 will serve as captains, the rest is to let you know how you are doing in relation to the others. Of course the position you are in will only be known to yourselves and to us, except for the top 10 who will be known to all the students. And now we come to the way to change your position in the ranking. Official battles. They can take place during Professor Hanks' classes, or at any time while there is a teacher in front of you. And let one thing be clear, it is forbidden to kill and dismember anyone.
Everyone was silent when they heard that. They were serious and concrete words that had the objective of warning the students, and Krist achieved his goal.
He then went on to explain the different schedules that were available and the students chose the schedule they liked the most or the one they could best adapt to. Although really the only difference is the order in which the classes are spread out over the days. Of course Arlen was put in the same group as Caleb, Kevin, Olivia and Laia, with whom they did the entrance tests and who was Olivia's roommate.
Between them Arlen had a tired look on his face. He hadn't gotten any sleep the night before and was still swallowing lots and lots of information that came from Edgar about features of his awakening and some things about his new body. For example, no kind of drug or poison works in the Arlen body as it 'burns' when it enters the body. And a new ability.
[Phoenix Tears:
Produces tears capable of healing any wound.
Instant effect.
Cost 3 BP]
Edgar explained to Arlen that BP is Bloodline Power and that he can't spend more than he has.
But that wasn't the only thing that kept him awake. Also because of something he heard from Brand. In his mind Arlen couldn't stop thinking about what he told him.
"—Arlen, I have something to tell you. The bloodline of your parents, are of the so called 'mythological animals' and were the last of several families. In your case the Phoenix bloodline. This is all I can tell you and as you grow up I will tell you things for you to learn, but I can't tell you much more now. For now enjoy and learn."
Arlen knew he wasn't going to get any more information out of him, even if he begged, so he decided to accept what he told him, but somehow he was relieved that he didn't have to hide that he was some kind of rare animal, at least from him.
They decided to start the week of classes with Professor Lewa's melee class, which was held in one of the training grounds open to the outside. Arlen had another reason though, as he had a Quest he had evolved for the second time.
[Keep me warm (3):
Stay under the Sun for two hours.
Reward to choose from:
3 experience points and 1 bloodline power point.
3 experience points and 1 free point]
But Arlen still had the same doubt, the same doubt he shared with Brand, what was a Phoenix? He was quite impressed and happy to be something special, but felt strange for being something he didn't even know existed the day before.
Kevin was laughing at Arlen for waking up his bloodline the day after testing and that he was now number 300 and if he wanted to move up in the rankings he had to do it from the bottom. Instead, Caleb was third, Olivia eighth and Kevin was thirteenth. Laia got a much lower place compared to them, 47th, but those three were pretty strong.
When they all arrived at teacher Lewa's class they saw that not many students had decided to do hand-to-hand combat on the first day. When the teacher appeared making a big landing in front of everyone.
—It seems that as usual I have few students on the first day. —Lewa looked at the students who were there and noticed that the boy who had caused her so many questions yesterday was there. —I see that you are few, but interesting. I'm going to explain what is done in this class, you gain experience in 1 vs 1 combat without using skills, but to do one on one combat you must first be strong, so the first few days you will do physical exercises. With that said everyone, 5 laps of the training camp. Go!
Between complaints the students started their first day of class.
When they finally finished the first day it was two o'clock in the afternoon, it was incredibly hot and everyone was sweating, all except Arlen, who felt that the heat made him regain his strength faster, which was confirmed by Edgar in his head.
[Name: Arlen Ober]
[Level: 1 (6/20)]
[Ability: Telekinesis 6%]
[Awaken state: Novice]
[Bloodline power: 6]
[HP: 20/20]
[Strong: 16]
[Agility: 15]
[Stamina: 15]
[Points: 0]
[>Skills]
[>Quests]
[>Inventory]
After eating and talking about the hell they had been through Arlen asked Olivia for a moment.
—Olivia, I need your help for a second.
—Mine?
—Yes. The first thing I wanted to say to you is thank you for yesterday and taking me to the infirmary.
—Don't worry, I couldn't leave you lying there anyway. But know that you owe me a meal.
Arlen smiled at that.
—Of course, I'll buy you dessert if you help me some more.
—I'm listening.
—I need you to help me look for information about what the Phoenix are.
Meanwhile, many worlds away, on a planet called 'Nest', a light that had been off for 8 years was the first day it could be seen turned on.